Evaluation of child life intervention in emergency department suturing

Abstract

The effects of stress-reducing intervention in emergency department suturing were evaluated by comparing children receiving intervention from child life staff, with two control groups who did not receive intervention, control A at a pediatric hospital and control B at a general hospital. The following measures were obtained: observable anxiety during the procedure; the child's self-report of anxiety, self-report of pain, postemergency visit behavior, and anxiety about a return visit; the parent's overall rating of satisfaction with care given and the parent's feelings of anxiety. Children and parents in the intervention group received emotional support and information concerning the medical procedure, and were taught appropriate coping strategies. Measures were obtained across three age groups (four to six years, seven to 10 years, 11 to 14 years) divided by sex; site of cut (face or body), and extent of injury (five or fewer sutures, six or more sutures). Intervention had its greatest influence on 11- to 14-year-olds with a facial injury requiring six or more sutures. Children in the intervention group expressed fewer fears than children in the general hospital control group. Parents of children who received intervention reported a significantly higher degree of satisfaction with the overall care given in the emergency department.